Rain ends play for indoor cricket

Cricket often falls foul of the weather - but usually outdoors

Young indoor cricketers in west Wales might have to up stumps to avoid rain stopping play.

For many years promising junior players have been coached during the off-season at Pontarddulais Leisure Centre.

But coaches were told the sports hall roof has sprung a leak and winter sessions will be cancelled in periods of heavy rain.

Swansea Council said the roof would be repaired as it had successfully secured funding to resolve the problem.

Harry Lazarus, secretary of the West Glamorgan Cricket Coaches Association, said Pontarddulais had been used for winter cricket for the last six or seven years.

"We got in touch to ask to book it for the 10 week session," he said.

"But we were told if it rains on a Friday or Saturday night they might have to give us a ring to cancel it. I asked why is that and they said it's because there are six holes in the roof.

Different venue

"It's absurd. It's a community building. I just can't believe it."

Mr Lazarus said the coaching programme for under-11s from across the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot area would now be staged at a different venue.

"I can't wait by the phone every Saturday or Sunday for it to be called off and then ring 18 youngsters and two coaches," he added.

The leisure centre is within the grounds of Pontarddulais Comprehensive School.

A council spokeswoman said: "The council has an agreement with the school to use the facility for community use in the evenings and during school holidays."

She said the authority now had funding to re-roof the building to resolve the problem.